UEFA Champions League (Knockout Round, Second Leg)
Arsenal unleashed an all-out assault on the visitors during the first half and made believers out of all of us, but it was not enough to overcome near-impossible odds. A strategy based on full-blown attack left the home side’s starters gasping for air by the hour mark, with nobody to replace them given the lack of quality depth.
Reaction: A.C. Milan was quickly driven onto its back heels early thanks to Arsenal’s energy and vigor on the attack, and Robin van Persie‘s penalty shot near the end of the half plunged the visitors into full-blown crisis mode. But Arsenal’s overload mentality exacted a visible physical toll, and the side appeared to run out of steam as the game wore on. By the 80th minute, the Gunners were rarely threatening in the final third. Arsenal seemed to progressively rely more on long balls from the defense and Wojcech Szczesny, a mystery given that the Gunners were badly beaten in the air all day. However, despite the diminishing returns, Arsenal were denied when Christian Abbiati made a fantastic save on a van Persie rebound just before the 60th minute — a save which proved the difference for Milan.
Best: Robin van Persie and Tomas Rosicky. Though it’s by now no surprise to see great performances by van Persie on a consistent basis, Rosicky has elevated his game when his club most desperately needs it. The attacking midfielder was again all over the pitch, playing in others and scoring a goal himself on a key clearing mistake by the Milan defense. van Persie was a constant threat, as expected, and his penalty-shot goal to bring Arsenal within one exuded calm under pressure.
Worst: Alex Song. Though it’s difficult to fault the Arsenal midfield for taking risks in an attempt to even the tie, Song was poor in linking the defense to the attack, often misplacing key passes in the middle third which quickly converted attacking sequences into frantic counter-attack defensive plays. Late in the game, Arsenal was woeful in recycling possession to sustain any kind of offensive pressure, and Song was a key culprit.
Notables: Arsenal has now scored 3+ goals at home for three straight games…no team has ever overcome a four-goal second-leg deficit in the Champions League…ST Park Chu-Young made his first appearance since coming on as a late substitute against Manchester United on January 22…ST Marouane Chamakh replaced the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 75th minute, making only his second appearance of the calendar year for the Gunners.
What’s next: With its Champions League season officially over, the remainder of Arsenal’s season can now be dedicated to salvaging a top-four place in the Premier League. This effort begins Saturday with a home date with Newcastle.
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